Art of Otis by  brubearbrown!

* * *

Art lounged on the sofa, the ceiling a very interesting sight for him today. "Thanks again, Otis. I owe you big time."

"No problem, little buddy," Otis said, putting his cell phone in his pocket. "I'm goin' to meet Venti for clothes shoppin'."

"I'm still thinking of how well the date went with Venti," the lion sat up, leaning forward with a grin. "You were right, the jackal didn't know what hit him when he saw me at the door."

"I told you he liked you."

"So you did. I'm just...well, when I lived at home my older brothers would bring home a girl every week. Lion politics and all that, but I always knew I wanted something else."

"How many moms do you have?"

"Only three. My mother is second in line, but she's revered because I was the only cub she could have."

Otis stood up, taking his jacket. "Some prides would scorn her."

"Fortunately my pride was different. There are enough males that one son being gay didn't bother them." He winked up at the otter. "And dating someone as formidable as Venti would earn me some respect if I cared for such things."

"You're somethin' else, Art." Otis knelt in front of the lion, taking up both paws with one of his huge ones. "Just promise me one thing, pal."

"Name it."

"Promise me you'll talk to Venti about any problems you might have if you two get into a relationship. Don't break his heart, and don't let him break yours."

Art looked into Otis's eyes for a moment, then leaned forward to kiss the otter's forehead. "I promise, Otis. I owe you that much for convincing me to go out with him."

Otis wrinkled his muzzle in a smile. "I better go. Venti's probably goin' to embarrass me with a public display of affection, or a free lunch." He patted Art's hands, then stood back up, followed closely by Art, who encircled his arms around Otis as best he could.

"I owe you a dinner."

Otis rubbed the back of Art's head, the beaded locks clacking around his fingers. "I eat a lot."

"All you can eat sushi then."

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